Mechanisms of 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced contraction of isolated rat intrapulmonary bronchi

Previous studies in our laboratory and others suggested that activation of 5-HT2 receptors mediates 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced contraction of airway smooth muscle and that this response is dependent in part on endogenous acetylcholine (ACh). The purpose of the present study was to confirm a role for 5-HT2 receptors and endogenous ACh in 5-HT-induced contraction of rat bronchi. In this study, we examined the effects of 5-HT2 receptor antagonists (ketanserin and LY53857), acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (physostigmine and neostigmine), and a muscarinic receptor alkylating agent [propylbenzilylcholine mustard (PBCM)] on contractile responses evoked by 5-HT and the 5-HT2 receptor agonist, alpha-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (alpha-Me-5-HT). Concentration-response curves generated in isolated rat intrapulmonary bronchi in response to 5-HT and alpha-Me-5-HT were superimposable. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by physostigmine or neostigmine potentiated contractile responses elicited by 5-HT and alpha-Me-5-HT. Alkylation of muscarinic receptors with PBCM decreased maximal responses elicited by 5-HT or alpha-Me-5-HT in a concentration-dependent manner. Maximum contraction attained with exogenous ACh was decreased by PBCM in a concentration-dependent manner and, at the highest concentration evaluated, ACh-induced contractions were abolished. 5-Hydroxytryptamine-induced contraction was inhibited competitively by low concentrations of the 5-HT2-receptor selective antagonist, ketanserin; higher concentrations abolished contractile responses to the amine. The inhibition of 5-HT-induced contractile responses by another 5-HT2-receptor selective antagonist, LY53857, was non-competitive in nature. Together, the results suggest that 5-HT contracts rat airways directly by activating 5-HT2 receptors located on airway smooth muscle and indirectly by activation of 5-HT2 receptors on parasympathetic nerve endings to cause release of ACh. The potential physiological implication of these findings is that 5-HT released in inflammatory conditions such as asthma may play a role in causing bronchoconstriction by releasing ACh or by augmenting release of ACh from activated cholinergic nerves.